| METH MURDER - Police say a man killed in a Thursday evening shooting on Charleston's West Side was sparked by an argument over methamphetamine.
Beau Alexander Hodge, 30, of Clendenin is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Charles "CJ" Thaxton, 29, of Charleston according to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.
Police say they responded to a shooting around 7:45 p.m. in the 1300 block of Stuart Street. Once on scene, police say Thaxton was found lying in the alley between Stuart Street and Frame Street with a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to the criminal complaint, police discovered during the investigation that Thaxton, along with five other witnesses, were inside of a home located at 1328 Stuart Street. One witness told police that she saw Thaxton obtain an unknown amount of methamphetamine from a large white truck that was parked in the alley.
"This truck was known by witnesses to belong to Beau Hodge, who was also inside the residence throughout the evening," Detective D.L. Williams wrote in the complaint.
The witness also told police that she heard Hodge and Thaxton arguing outside of the home shortly after Thaxton took the meth from the truck. The witness said she heard Hodge inquiring about where his drugs were and accusing Thaxton of taking them.
The witness also said she heard a single gunshot before she ran outside and saw Thaxton lying on the ground in the alley. She also said she saw Hodge leave the area in the large white truck, later determined to be a white Ford F-250.
Thaxton was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Around 9:00 p.m., Kanawha County deputies responded to car accident on North Pinch Road in Elkview. Police said that Hodge was found outside of the truck that had flipped on its side. Hodge was hurt in the crash and taken to the hospital. Police said there was no one else in the truck at the time of the crash.
Hodge was later released from the hospital and taken to the South Central Regional Jail.
Magistrate Gary Sheff arraigned Hodge early Friday morning. Hodge is being held without bond.
ROAD RAGE SHOOTER - A man has been arrested after allegedly discharging a firearm at a victimâs vehicle in Clarksburg.
On Apr. 21, officers with the Clarksburg Police Department responded to a âroad rageâ incident taking place at the Go-Mart gas station at 601 W Main St. in Clarksburg, according to a criminal complaint.
Prior to officersâ arrival, James Murphy, 59, of Clarksburg, âthrew an item at [the victimâs] vehicle in traffic,â and then they âpulled into the Go-Mart parking lot,â officers said.
When Murphy exited his vehicle, âhe retrieved a shotgunâ and the two men then had an argument during which âMurphy stated he was going back to get ammo,â and after loading his shotgun, âMurphy point[ed] the gun at [the victim]â and said âhe would kill him,â according to the complaint.
At that point, Murphy âfired a shot at [the victimâs] vehicle,â and struck a ârear tire, causing it to deflateâ; Murphy then fled the area, officers said.
Officers located Murphy at a parking area on S. Chestnut St. in Clarksburg, during which time Murphy ârefused multiple verbal commandsâ while also âactively resisting arrest,â but officers were able to place him into custody, according to the complaint.
Murphy has been charged with wanton endangerment. He is currently out on bond.
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